At this moment, Shen Xi’s eyes looked as though they were going to pop out of their sockets. He recalled what Pan Zhong said to him when he was in the Evil Sky Pavilion: You can’t judge the Evil Sky Pavilion using common sense. When he looked at Yu Shangrong at this moment, he felt the words were true. Under normal circumstances, it was impossible for a Ten-leaf cultivator to defeat a Five Chart Thousand Realms Whirling expert. Even if Xu Chen was injured, it should not be possible at all. Ten-leaf cultivators would not be able to breach the protective energy of a Thousand Realms Whirling expert. However, Yu Shangrong managed to do it!
Xu Chen was grievously injured by Yu Shangrong. Moreover, he was also injured by Xiao Yunhe who had seven Birth Charts.
Boom!
Xu Chen fell to the ground.
At the same time, Yu Shangrong joined his palms together.
The energy swords that filled the sky along with ten golden leaves, which were no different from sharp swords, converged. Following that, they fell like torrential rain.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
All of them struck Xu Chen’s chest. His Thousand Realms Whirling avatar appeared three times before shrinking and entering his body again. This continued until there was no more movement from him.
Yu Shangrong sheathed his Longevity Sword. After he studied Xu Chen’s corpse for a moment, he nodded in satisfaction. He tapped his toes lightly and shot back up into the air as though nothing happened.
Xiao Yunhe and Ning Wanqing. “…”
Shen Xi and the members of the Humble White Sect looked at Yu Shangrong with dumbfounded expressions on their faces.
‘The First Elder of the White Tower Council died just like that?’
At this time, Shen Xi said, “Don’t make a fuss. This is normal….”
“Normal? You’re telling me it’s normal for a Ten-leaf cultivator to kill a Five Chart expert? Do you think I’m stupid?” Wu Chao gulped.
“Xu Chen was seriously injured. Moreover, Tower Master Xiao had helped control the situation as well…” Shen Xi said.
At this moment, Yu Zhenghai rushed over and looked at the corpse on the ground.
Yu Shangrong looked at Yu Zhenghai and did not say anything. However, a slightly arrogant smile could be seen on his face. It seemed to say, “What do you think of this move?”
Yu Zhenghai asked, “Second Junior Brother, do you think you’ve killed him?”
“Hmm?”
Following that, Yu Zhenghai raised his hand, and a golden flame appeared above his hand. He sent the golden flames toward the corpse.
In just a short moment, the golden flames reduced the corpse to ashes.
“…”
Xiao Yunhe’s eyelids twitched. Was this what it meant when people said ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’? Like master, like disciple? Each of them was more ruthless than the last!
Yu Zhenhai lifted his chin and explained, “Don’t mind me. Whenever I think of witchcraft that can resurrect corpses, I feel nauseous.”
“You’re right. This can indeed prevent the resurrection of the corpse.” Xiao Yunhe nodded to show that he understood.
Yu Shangrong said, “Eldest Senior Brother hates witchcraft cultivators the most.”
“…” Wu Chao scratched his head awkwardly. He felt as though he was targeted for no reason.
Xiao Yunhe said, “Brother Lu has already obtained Ying Zhao’s life heart. I don’t think there’ll be any more problems. Xu Chen is dead, and Shi Youran… definitely won’t be able to survive as well. It’s time to return…”
Everyone nodded.
The members of the Humble White Sect agreed wholeheartedly. The entire time they were watching the battle, they had been in a state of trepidation. Needless to say, it was not a comfortable feeling. Now that they were told they could leave, they could not help but sigh in relief.
Then, Xiao Yunhe turned over and called out, “Ning Wanqing.”
Just like his expression, Ning Wanqing’s injuries did not look optimistic. He said, “Whether you want to kill or torture me, you can do as you please…”
Xiao Yunhe replied, “That’ll have to depend on Brother Lu.”
Ning Wanqing sighed. If he had known this would happen, there were many things he would not have done earlier.
After half an hour, Lu Zhou finally returned.
Di Jiang that was hovering nearby flew over as fast as lightning as soon as it saw its master.
Lu Zhou stroked his beard and nodded in satisfaction.
Everyone bowed and greeted Lu Zhou.
Lu Zhou flicked his sleeves and said, “No need for formalities. Where’s Xu Chen?”
Based on the commotion Lu Zhou heard earlier when he was nearing, he assumed Xu Chen was dead.
Xiao Yunhe pointed at a charred spot in the distance.
Lu Zhou nodded and said, “Well done.”
“…”
Although these words were normal, why did they sound so terrifying?
Xiao Yunhe asked, “Brother Lu, where’s Shi Youran?”
“Dead.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunhe felt the pent-up anger in his heart was vented. “Good!”
Shen Xi asked, “Is the beast tide in the Southern Mountain City very bad?”
“No,” Lu Zhou replied as he tossed the bag of life hearts to Yu Zhenghai. Since Yu Zhenghai was his eldest disciple, he was most suitable to distribute the life hearts to his other disciples. Naturally, he kept Ying Zhao and Pu Yi’s life hearts. He planned to use them when he returned and reuse them again.
At this moment, Yu Zhenghai, who had opened the bag to take a look, exclaimed, “Eleven?!”
“The number isn’t high and the quality isn’t too good, but let’s use them for now,” Lu Zhou said.
The Humble White Sect. “…”
11 life hearts were considered little? They thought about those who would die just for one.
Including Ying Zhao and Pu Yi’s life hearts and the life hearts that the Black Tower Council and the White Tower Council handed over, Lu Zhou had 19 life hearts!
They sighed inwardly. This was a case of some dying from drowning and some dying from drought.
At this moment, Xiao Yunhe asked, “Brother Lu, what should we do with Ning Wanqing?”
“Take him away!” Lu Zhou said.
Shen Xi flew to Ning Wanqing. “Judge Ning, please follow me.”
Ning Wanqing did not resist. “Perhaps, I would feel unresigned if I were defeated by King Chen of Wu or Liu Huan. However, I have nothing to say about being defeated by the old senior.”
“You’re a sensible person. Why did you come to the Land of Chaos to fight for Ying Zhao’s heart?” Lu Zhou shook his head.
“The Tower Master needs it…” Ning Wanqing replied.
“Tower Master? Lan Xihe?” Lu Zhou said.
Ning Wanqing said calmly, “The winner takes all; I have no complaints. I admit the old senior’s cultivation base is profound, but Tower Master Lan isn’t weak either…”
Lu Zhou replied indifferently, “Those who oppose me have all died. Ning Wanqing, do you think I can’t kill Lan Xihe?’
“This…” Ning Wanqing wavered. Before this, he thought Lan Xihe was the most powerful cultivator, the people from the Unknown Land notwithstanding. However, he was not so sure now.
“Shen Xi,” Lu Zhou called out.
“Your subordinate is here!”
“Open the runic passage to the Imperial city in the red lotus domain,” Lu Zhou said.
“This… This subordinate doesn’t know how…” Shen Xi said with a troubled expression.
“I know how,” Xiao Yunhe said.
“…”
Lu Zhou had forgotten he had an expert who used to be the Tower Master of the Black Tower Council with him. Although Xiao Yunhe only had seven Birth Charts, his experience and knowledge were superior to most. Finally, he said, “Thank you.”
Xiao Yunhe pointed northwest and said, “There’s a runic passage there.”
Everyone nodded.
Lu Zhou turned and glanced at the people from the Humble White Sect and said, “You should all take care of yourselves…”
“…”
‘Is that all?’ The thousands of cultivators from the Humble White Sect did not know how to react for a moment.
Chen You and Elder Wu looked at the departing figures of Lu Zhou and the others. They were extremely vexed!
Elder Wu said, “Life and death are determined by fate; wealth and honor by the heavens. Sect leader, let’s not wallow in regret…”
Chen You nodded before he ordered, “Return.”
Elder Wu said, “Sect Leader Chen, please return first. I have some matters to attend to.”
“What is it?” Chen You frowned.
Elder Wu sighed and said, “Previously, when I brought that Senior Lu to meet you, there was a slight conflict. I’m afraid of implicating the Humble White Sect so I plan to apologize.”
Chen You nodded and patted Elder Wu’s shoulder. “Elder Wu, you’re really the pillar of the Humble White Sect! Go…”
“Thank you, Sect Leader Chen.”
After the people from the Humble White Sect left, Elder Wu looked to the left and the right before he rushed toward the dark forest.
…
Half a day later.
In a 100,000-foot white tower.
Lan Xihe stood near a window, looking at the vast land below.
A female attendant hurried over at this moment and said in a low voice, “It has been confirmed that First Elder Xu is dead.”
A cool breeze swept past, lifting Lan Xihe’s hair. Based on her calm expression, it was difficult to tell what she was thinking at this moment. After a moment of silence, she asked, “Ning Wanqing didn’t come back?”
“Ning Wanqing is missing.”
“Who took Yingzhao’s life heart?” Lan Xihe asked in a soft voice.
“I’ve spoken to many sectless cultivators. Although the Black Tower Council, the Dark and Light Alliance, Great Yuan’s royal court, and even the Humble White Sect were there, the person who obtained Ying Zhao’s life heart is an old man with the surname Lu. He’s from the golden lotus domain’s Evil Sky Pavilion, and he has… he has 12 Birth Charts.” The female attendant’s voice grew smaller and smaller as she drew closer and closer to the end of her words.
“12 Birth Charts?” A hint of surprise finally appeared on Lan Xihe’s expressionless face.
The female attendant fell to her knees immediately. “There are many witnesses. I daren’t lie about this matter.”
“Alright. You can leave now.”
“Understood.” The female attendant left in a respectful manner.
Lan Xihe continued looking at the scenery below as she murmured, “Evil Sky Pavilion…”
